Kade saw the lowering of the head and while he didnt look it, he was tensed underneath his clothes. "its called joke, you remember those right?" he snapped out, before he could control it or stop it from coming. he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, clearing his throat. "mm, same here on the world thing" it wasnt a secret he was in the military, his grandmother made sure of that no doubt, she was proud of him. looking up at Seth he nodded, smirking "yep, thats me the and whatever she's told you im sure its a lie, im not as bad as Sarah claimed." accepted and shaking Seth's hand before stepping back and he unzipped his jacket as the topic switched, and soon Seth was heading up to print out some papers.

Kade waited til he was out of earshot, before he turned to look at her, the food was getting to him, he was starving himself. he growled deep and low. "i'll just do it myself" grabbing his helmet after zipping up his jacket he turned and stormed out, closing the door behind him as he had the helmet on his head and moving back down to his bike, each step he took he had to take care to not shatter the walk way with it, and it wasnt that easy. he'd been on his own for a year since the accident he shouldnt have survived, and since then it was learn as he went, and there was no manual, no book to read to learn to be what he was now.. it was part of why he was back home now, the quick to anger or the unauthorized absences during specific nights. he didnt have anyone then and he survived, he learned. he didnt need anyone then, and sure as hell didnt need anyone now as he climbed back onto his Motorcycle.

Vanessa didn't know what happened. She had only lowered her head because she had seen Kade as a higher rank, she might be the one of them that was longer, what they were but that didn't mean that she was higher. She had felt him tensing up and now that he walked away with so much anger she didn't know what to do else than follow him.

She followed him outside, and reached for him just when he sat down on to his motorcycle. ''I don't know what made you angry.. But if it was me, then come back inside. I was not planning to make you mad'' she whispered, knowing he would hear her. She laid her hands over his hands and looked at him. ''Kade, come on.. We need to talk about what this is.. I've never met someone else like us that I wanted to lower my head for and it was a long 2 years without anyone I could trust'' she said. She looked him straight in the eyes and saw that it did made him tense. ''Yes.. Two years its been since I've been bitten.. No, I am not a alpha.. I even hate my other side more than anyone else as it reminds me of a day that I needed a friend but didn't have one to help me'' she said. She then let go of his hands. ''But, I guess that I was wrong.. I am sorry that I wanted to show you, I saw you as a higher rank'' she said and then did a few steps back.

He could clearly hear and see that she was speaking the truth. Vanessa then took out her phone, saw the message of Riley and answered with: Hey Riley! Tell me the time and where at the lake and I'll be there. Always willing to help you. Xx

Kade stopped and pulled his helmet off, before looking at her, hearing her clearly even if she was whispering, and then her hands moved over his. "i get angry at a lot of things, easily" he admitted. "and i didnt know what that meant, i.. i was bitten during combat, the one that did it, was found days later peppered full of ak-47 bullets, i've been doing this a year, alone" looking at her, and when she said two years, and that she wasnt an Alpha he shut the bike off and climbed off, leaving his helmet hanging off the side "same here" about the friend thing and sort of hating the other side. and at the higher rank thing, now that threw him for a loop for a moment.

"me, higher.. not likely" he said. "i didnt know what that meant, i thought you were annoyed or pissed, and like i said i get angry easily, even now.. it was worse before, after i healed" he climbed off and pocketed his keys and moved up beside her, unzipping his coat now. "lets talk, and im sorry i was a dick and didnt understand"

Vanessa stuffed her phone back in the pocket of her vest and looked at him. ''Come, sit on the porch'' she said and walked to it and sat down. ''We must keep whispering.. Seth better doesn't hear of our problems'' she said and looked at him, she still whispered, she still whispered. ''I'm sorry to hear your change happened in a combat.. I first got beaten up and then changed.. The wolf that changed me forced me to stay with him.. I hate my.. wolf.. she said. ''I had to do what he wanted, lower my head for everyone.. I was so scared that I did but I didn't feel like myself. So much anger build up that eventually after half a year I...'' she stopped and shook her head. ''Never mind.. I guess you can guess the out come.. I've never liked people bossing me around'' she said and sighed.

She looked up at him. ''It's okay.. You can't help it.. I also have trouble controlling my anger though it gets better... I found a way to get rid of it... And it sounds weird but running works.. for me at least'' she said. ''Kade.. Your my friend.. Always have been, even if we did more fighting than friendly stuff.. I hope we can stay friends like that.. I liked winning from you so now and then'' she said.

Kassey was glad they were able to round up the entire gang before heading out to the lake for their little piece of sanctuary that they got each year. It seemed the trip took on a deeper meaning each time they went, becoming a tradition now to share with new friends and old alike. The drive wasn't a long one, so there wasn't much use in getting comfortable for the ride. Not like there was much room to do that anyways, as the older they got, the less they seemed to all fit in the trusted recreational vehicle.

As they arrived, Kassey shuffled out with the others and retrieved her things from the side compartment. Following in action, she got her gear out and began to set up her tent before doing anything else. It was a decent sized, durable tent that she had invested in after her old crappy tent caved in on her two years prior. Nodding after Cassandra had mentioned the extra space, Kassey pointed towards her tent as well.

"Same here, I've got room for a person or two if we need it. I brought an extra sleeping bag too just in case anyone forgot." She tossed her things into the tent and unrolled her sleeping bag on one side, then emerged again to see each of her friends performing various tasks. A laugh escaped her when she saw Billy strike a pose with his hatchet, "Don't hurt yourself kid, we don't need to take a trip to the ER," she replied jokingly.

She decided to try and find some more suitable seating arrangements for the bonfire. Usually there were several large logs around the fire pit to sit on, but it seemed someone had messed up the area since the last time they were here. Spotting some perfectly sized down trees near the wood's edge, she set out to drag them back. After hauling in a couple of logs, and breaking a little sweat, she concluded that combined with those who brought lawn chairs and the large rocks surrounding the pit, they'd now have plenty of places to find a seat and gather around.

"There we are. Certainly not a sofa from Ikea, but it'll do."

Evan ate his churro quietly and took a seat in the RV. They had just picked up their final passenger, TJ. Evan never really got the chance to know her so maybe now was the time. Everyone seem to be having a good time and then they arrived at the lake at last. He stepped outside, dusted the cinnamon off his clothes, and admired the view. He was starting to feel glad that they had convinced him to tag along this year.

There were two options so far that were presented to him. Go swimming or go get firewood. He wasn't very strong but he could at least help out a little. Swimming also sounded like a good idea. But maybe getting firewood would be the "manly" thing to do. He didn't want the other guys to think of him as a wimp or anything.

Evan walked over to Billy and raised his hand to volunteer. "I guess I'll come along and help." He hoped he was loud enough for Billy to hear him though it was probably not a problem as he was standing pretty close.

He waited to see if anyone else would volunteer with them. Maybe it'll end up being the guys getting the firewood while the girls swam kind of thing. Or was it sexist to think like that? The girls were probably more capable than Evan in actuality when it came to manual labor not that he would ever admit that out loud. It was bad enough that he was already such a wimp.

Cassandra rolled her eye, "Well, sorry I didn't pack a hatchet. I nearly just bring Firewood when I camp" She said wiith amusement, as she shrugged a shirt on, wriggling into some shorts as she said, "I'll go with. I just didn't want to fall into the water or something in my clothes" She said, brushing back a stray strand of hair, she put her sandshoes back on, and ready, smiled.

She double checked her tent, making sure it was set up correctly, before approaching Billy and Evan, "I'm good to go" She said cheerfully, "Got to make sure you two won't end up in the ER< don't I?" She smiled again, and looked about the camp as it continued to be set up.

As her friends started to climb out of the small RV, she noticed that it had gotten pretty cramp now over the years the first trip was just four of them, now there were eleven of them. The RV would probably be way to small for them and they would end up having to use their own cars to get to the campsite. Riley leaned herself up against the side of the RV as she felt her phone vibrate and it was Vanessa again and smiled even more, looking around for a moment at her friends she was happy that they were getting along nicely there were rarely any fights among them and she was glad.

'I plan on doing our little prank tonight, around eight come by and make sure you wear something black cant wait to see you again!' Riley hit send and stood up watching as Cassandra, Billy and Evan volunteered to grab the firewood for the camp. "My mom would probably end our annual camping trip if one of you guys got hurt out here." Riley said teasingly, Riley headed towards the other end of the RV and opened the side compartment pulling out some folded camping chairs and started to get them set up around the fire pit. There weren't enough for everyone but Riley was glad that Kassey went to grab some logs nearby to use as makeshift couches and chairs.

"By the way if some of you guys are sharing tents, I don't want to hear any moaning or anything like that." Riley said with a laugh as she started to set up her own tent, once it was set up Riley rolled out her own sleeping bag.

Exiting the recreational vehicle Tala took a moment to stretch and yawn, lifting her arms above her head and arching her back. The ride from her home to the lake wasn't a long one, but her lack of sleep was catching up with her. She and her parents had been at each other's throats the last few of days with their last screaming match ending with her stepfather taking her cellphone from her.

As she stretched she watched Cassandra and Kassey quickly set up their tents. Tala then moved to one of the outside storage compartments of the RV and retrieved her duffle bag and sleeping bag.

"I have room in my tent, if anyone wants a roof over their head," Cassandra informed the group before disappearing inside her tent to change clothes.

"Same here," Kassey gestured toward her own tent. "I've got room for a person or two if we need it. I brought an extra sleeping bag too just in case anyone forgot," she said before she also disappeared into her tent.

Though she had not been socializing with her friends as much this past year Tala's feelings towards them had not changed. No, she did not hate those around her now. It was just something had changed within her. As though a dial was steadily being turned inside of her that was slowly transforming Tala from a cheerful and outgoing teenager into a more introverted, antisocial girl. Less and less did she feel the need to interact with others. Tala did not attend any of the past school year's dances or sporting events. Neither did she hang with her friends after school or on the weekends during the last six months or so. No going to the movies. No going swimming. No shopping sprees or girls' nights out. Fact is, if Tala's home life wasn't currently in turmoil she probably wouldn't have come on this camping trip.

Despite the fact that she had never officially 'came out' to her friends, before the shift in her temperament Tala used to be quite flirtatious with her girlfriends. Although gay she had not yet become physically attracted to the other girls. That is unless comments about being jealous of Kassey's derriere counted as physical attraction. Cassandra and Aaliyah -affectionately dubbed the Twin Towers- were entertainers as Tala was once. She enjoyed Riley's tomboyish nature, and Kassey's curiosity, loyality and athleticism were all traits to be admired. Elisha was a new addition to the circle that, even though Tala had seen her around, she hadn't really gotten to know her. Yet the way the cute little Eurasian girl's brown eyes beamed whenever they looked toward Carlos did not go unnoticed.

Tala considered her sleeping options. After Billy claimed he was going to go after some real firewood and struck a ludicrous pose with his hatchet, a moment that brought a genuine amused grin to Tala's face, Cassandra chose to accompany him along with another new kid, Evan. As they walked off Kassey was dragging some logs suitable for sitting on around the spot where the campfire would be built.

Brushing shiny black locks of hair behind a tiny ear Tala stepped toward Kassey. "Guess I'm bunking with you."

"By the way," said Riley as she set up a few folded chairs around the fire circle, "if some of you guys are sharing tents, I don't want to hear any moaning or anything like that." Riley chuckled as she walked away to begin assembling her own tent.

"No need for moaning. I'm sure that snoot of yours could pick up the scent of sex a mile away," Tala retorted in a lower tone before slipping into Kassey's tent with her things.

Riley looked over her shoulder and laughed at Tala's joke. "Yeah, and I bet you would really love to touch it." Riley said jokingly as she finished setting up the camping chairs that she was able to bring into the RV. It was really good to see Tala again, though she was curious why she had been distant lately Riley looked towards her other friends for a moment before approaching Kassey's tent. "But in all seriousness could we talk for a bit alone Tala?" Riley was concerned for her friend and heard some of the arguments with her parents, years ago TJ was always friendly and wanted to hang out all the time.

Riley motioned to Tala to follow her. "I'll be right back guys." Riley said as she started to walk away towards the campsite, once she was out and away from earshot of any of their friends Riley leaned up against a tree running a hand through her hair slightly. She was always there for her friends, giving out advice or just being a shoulder for any of her closest friends and would do anything for them as well.

---

Carlos was growing frustrated as he concentrated on his iPad Air. He was playing solitaire and it got the point where he couldn't make any more plays even after he asked it for hints. He was never smart enough to finish a full game because he always got stuck to which he would always make his mom finish the game or just give up completely. When it came to games in general, he was a bit competitive and got a little heated when he lost his basketball games at school. He was getting better, but he still had a long way to go.

Not a minute too soon, he looked up to see that Elisha had joined him at the small both of the RV. It was already getting a little cramped since more and more people were invited out to the annual camping trip every year. He smiled and scooted over a little so she could sit. She started to ask him things about the trip and whether or not he was going to need some help on these pranks. He could always use an extra hand but that didn't mean they were immune to his playful antics later on.

"The trip is really fun actually. Really laid back. It's nice to get out of the house and enjoy nature for a few days. To get away from everything. You'll like the lake, trust me," he said warmly to Elisha. "Oh and si senora you can help. I can always need some helpers. Probably start off small like grabbing their feet in the lake and then covering them in shaving cream while they sleep," he whispered mischievously. He knew his friends liked to eavesdrop so he had to talk lightly. He noticed they had to make an extra stop to pick up Tala before they headed out to the lake.

It wasn't too long before they arrived at the lake. He hurried out of the RV to stretch his legs a bit as it felt a bit cramp inside. After everyone was getting everything situated, he noticed he didn't bring a tent so he had to share with someone.

"So who's the lucky person that gets to room with me? I promise I won't get you in your sleep...maybe." Before anyone could answer, his iPhone rang in his back pocket. He took it out and noticed it was a facetime from his mother. Crap, he thought. Trying to hide his anxiety, he answered the facetime and looked at his mom who was on the other side. "Hey mami, what's up? Isn't it beautiful out here? Look at all the nice -" Before he could finish, his mother interrupted him in anger. When ever she used his first and middle name, he knew he was in trouble.

"DON'T YOU HEY MAMI ME, CARLOS ENRIQUE! I KNOW YOU TOOK MY TEQUILA. I needed some pick-me-up juice and when I opened the cabinet it wasn't there. YOU BETTER NOT BE OUT THERE DRINKING. Sólo tiene que esperar hasta llegar a casa! Voy a golpear tan duro y que no vamos a-"

"Okay okay ma dang! I'm sorry!" He said as his mother was still rambling on in Spanish loud enough for everyone to hear. He was trying to hold back a snicker because it was so funny to see his mom mad. He knew it was coming but he didn't care. He was here to have fun. "But I'm having a great time! See nothing happened! But I have to help set up so byeeeee!"

"COLGAR EN MI Y VEO LO QUE HARE-" Angie couldn't finish before Carlos hung up the facetime call. He couldn't help but start laughing as he went to help the others.

"Boy I'm so gonna get it when I get home. Don't piss off a Mexicana or touch her alcohol."

Elisha giggled at the though of pranking the others, even if they were small things, not anything spectacular. When the RV stopped and finally reached the campsite, she stumbled off the bus and nearly fell flat on her ass into the mulch and grass. Cassandra offered to let someone room with her, and Elisha almost opened her mouth to take her up on that offer, but then Carlos offered it to anyone as well. It was a nice idea for a daydream, she though to herself before Carlos's phone rang. She covered her mouth in shock. Elisha had heard her own mother cuss in Vietnamese very often when they still lived in New York, and she knew no other languages than English and Vietnamese, but she didn't have to know any Spanish to know that Carlos was getting roasted.

Kade nodded once she was done and followed her to the porch, sitting down beside her. "he's still upstairs, i can hear that much but we'll whisper" both of them would know when he was coming back down, but it didnt matter really. at the apology he nodded. "thanks, it wasnt the greatest thats for sure, lost my whole squad, and i was tore up bad, they didnt think i was going to make it til my amazing recovery" he said softly. "then after that, and i cleared psych, i was sent back out and.. well thats when everything went kinda sideways on me" hearing how she was changed, it made his seem tame. "really, i'd have torn that bastards throat out for him" he reached over and rubbed her back. "yea, i can guess, i decked my Captain right in the face when my anger built up enough, then about a dozen other officers so.. thats one of the reason im no longer military and state side.. that and my grandmother died" he smirked. "that bossing thing was way before your incident, and mine actually"

he nodded. "i know the Running thing, found that out, running does help, but going AWOL when your to be on post doesnt, found that out too" he smirked, shrugging that off before he nodded "yea, we are friends, and it wasnt fighting it was competing there is a difference" he said, thinking before he nodded. "yea, we can stay friends, of course if you dont mind a half the time tempermental jerk"

Vanessa first checked her phone and answered: 'Eight o' clock it is, I'll find you don't worry. And I'll be in black' she texted back and then laid her phone on the stairs next to her. She looked at Kade and nodded. ''I get that.. And.. I am sorry for your loss'' she said as she heard that his grandmother had passed away. When he rubbed her back she leaned a little in and smiled. ''Is that all? Well.. If you can keep up with a uncontrolled, temperamental bitch which does bite before she thinks'' Vanessa said and smiled at him.

''Kade, we will get there.. We will find ourselves some information and I believe that we will work this out... Actually.. Would you like to join me in a little prank tonight at eight o clock?'' She asked. ''Riley has something planned and I told her to help. I would like to help you.. And to night there is no full moon'' she said and sat up straight again. Why was she actually leaning against him like they were a couple? Sometimes she hated herself, she had been crushing on Kade for a long time but never had thought to become the same creature as he was.. She smiled and got up from the porch, offering him a hand.

Kassey's tent was indeed roomy enough for at least three people Tala believed as she stepped inside. "Yeah, and I bet you would really love to touch it." Riley had called back at Tala. It was an odd sounding comeback Tala thought. Why would I want to touch her nose? She shook her head. As she began to roll out her sleeping bag Riley stepped toward the tent. "But in all seriousness, could we talk for a bit alone Tala?"

"OK," Tala replied and sighed. She had a feeling she knew what her friend wanted to talk about. If it wasn't Riley then it was sure to be one of the others.

"So who's the lucky person that gets to room with me?" Carlos called out from near the RV which instantly made Tala roll her eyes as she situated her things in the tent. "I promise I won't get you in your sleep...maybe."

"No boys allowed," Tala stated as she exited the tent flashing a cool glance towards the boy who was busy being screamed at by his mother over the phone. It sounded as if his mother was a possible alcoholic the way she was carrying on about a stolen bottle of tequila, and since Carlos had the bottle on the RV and open so early this morning Tala couldn't help but wonder if he were about to fall down the same path. Unlike the others, Tala wasn't overly fond of Carlos. Not that she outright hated him, it simply seemed as though the boy just didn't know when to stop with the fun and games. His pranks annoyed her more than they made her laugh.

"Boy I'm so gonna get it when I get home," he said as he hung up on his mother. "Don't piss off a Mexicana or touch her alcohol." Tala often speculated if Carlos put on the accent too much as part of his clown act.

"Bobo," she said as Tala walked past him, a word and insult that meant the same thing in both Filipino and Spanish. Tala didn't wait for a response as she walked past him and the vehicle to follow Riley into the forest.

The following conversation with Riley she was not looking forward to. She wasn't ready to have this conversation with any of her friends. Tala had had this talk with her mother more than once. 'What's wrong with you? Why are you so hostile towards us? Why don't you go out with your friends?' Tala didn't have an answer for her mother, and she knew she wouldn't have an answer for Riley.

Billy beamed a smile at the two. Cassandra and Evan would be just great for this task, as they were nice people to talk with. Though Evan was somewhat new, he hoped to get to know him a bit more. He went ahead and put the hatchet in its holster at his side.

"Excellent. Cassandra and Evan, what a team we will be on this vitally important task of collecting wood." Billy then pointed a finger at Kassey saying, "I will not be going to the ER...again alright. Last time, that was an accident. That tree attacked me okay, and it won as I fell down the hill!" He said this all the while with a smirk.

He then heard Spanish, very loud Spanish. He looked over at Carlos, who was in fact getting yelled at, most likely by his mother. He looked back at Cassandra and Evan with a smile, "Great reception out here isn't here? Anyways, lets get going, wood doesn't collect itself!"

Billy then started to walk towards the woods.

letting her check her phone, before she sat it down and he looked at her, nodding. "thanks, i appreciate it greatly, i just came from their graves" meaning not just his grandmother's, but his grandfathers, and his mom and dad's, who after the car accident were brought and buried here, his mother's home town. he smiled when she leaned in a little and he nodded. "thats all for now, im sure i have other flaws" he smirked, then laughed. "Yea, i think i can manage that, and dont worry i bite right back" he winked and smirked back at her.

getting serious again he nodded. "oh i know, there has to be some information out there, but i've managed pretty good the past year" before she talked about a prank, and hearing what it was he laughed. "oh i'd be glad to help and i know on the moon thing" he added, you learn pretty quick what the phases of the moon were afterwards, cause out in public or not, if it was full you were changing it was simple as that. once she sat up he dropped and brought his arm back around, staring out onto the street, the moment was awkward. "is there anything specific i need to wear tonight? ski mask and a chainsaw perhaps" he smirked.

Vanessa smiled, at his comment about the mask and chainsaw but she shook her head. ''No, only black clothes'' she said. ''At this moment I do not know much about the prank, but we are probably not gonna let them shit their pants..'' she said. She had felt the awkward moment too but didn't know how to handle it. A part of her just wanted to kiss him, the other part said to not act so crazy. She decided to go along with the don't act so crazy part and now looked at him.

''Let's get inside, I can make you some coffee'' she said and offered him a hand so he could get up too.

Cassandra smiled, which faded as Carlos appeared to have a shouting match with his mother. Knowing some spanish, Cassandra winced, and looked back to Billy, and Evan, smiling at the two boys. "Ah, the classic tree moving story. Perhaps I should handle the ax" Cassandra replied to Billy, following after him.

She glanced back over her shoulder and said "Still room in my tent, guys! Don't make me have to sleep by myself!" She grinned, and hurried to catch up after Billy, and Evan. She began humming a tune, not apparently aware of it, as she glanced about them. So far, it seemed like a good time.

Riley smiled seeing Tala approaching her, she didn't want to interrogate her friend at all or ask her whats been going on with her for the past few months to a year now she did hate the fact she felt like she was losing one of her friends. Riley looked back towards the camp hearing Carlos' mom bitching at him over the phone from a distance, she didn't know any Spanish but she assumed Carlos' mother was cursing him out for stealing the tequila. Then Riley quickly turned her attention back towards Tala and smiled at her for a moment. "I'm just showing my concern is all, i'm not going to interrogate you or anything like that. However if you do and I mean it really if you need someone to talk to you can really trust me, like when we were kids we always told each other secrets and I've never told anyone else and kept it to myself." Riley said softly rubbing the back of her head looking at Tala.

"And I think its better to talk to people around our age about our problems, but that's just me and i'm really happy you came with us this year." Riley said gently giving Tala a reassuring pat on her friends shoulder. "And you can call me anytime to you know, or if you ever have a heated argument with your folks just swing by my place we always have rooms open to."